Wind generator buyer's checklist

Wind generator project planning and execution

This page delineates essential topics you should research prior to purchasing a wind generator

Buyer's checklist

1 Evaluate the wind conditions

2 What will the energy be used for?

3 How much energy is required?

4 How large a wind generator will I need?

5 Is there a good location for a wind generator near me?

6 Permissions

7 Installation

8 Use of T188 wind generator

9 Wind generator life cycle

10 How to compare different manufacturers' wind generators

11 Envinronmentally friendly wind energy

1 Evaluate the wind conditions

A wind generator is only productive in a windy location. You can make a quick estimate of your location by using the following list:

locations exposed to the sea have excellent conditions regarding wind
wide open terrain and locations on the top of hills have good or at least moderate conditions
locations covered by or in the near vicinity of forrest have poor wind conditions

The higher up the wind generator is placed, the better the energy productivity. For best results, the wind generator should be placed so that at mast height, the generator is free of obstruction in all directions.

The rotor should be at least 9 metres higher than the nearest obstruction, such as buildings or trees, in a radius of about 150 metres. This is to prevent turbulence (caused by these obstacles) which decreases the productivity of the wind generator.

Raising the wind generator higher up has an immediate effect on the productivity. Please see point 5. for more information.

2 What will the energy be used for?

Typical uses of energy produced with small-scale wind generators in Finland:

Thermal energy production for building heating systems water or mass heat storage
Thermal energy production for warm water supplies
Battery charging and resultant electricity use in 12V or 230V systems
Direct electricity production for home electrical network, 230V

If you plan on heating your house with the Tuule T188, you must thave an alternative means of heating on a windless winter's day. Wind energy can only supplement existing heating energy.

For example:

Wind energy can supplement heating so that wood burning decreases to 5 cubic metres annually.

A wood-heated house can consume up to 20 cubic metres of log wood annually.

The charging of wind energy to the heat resistor is efficient, if the resistor is large enough. We recommend a size of 1000 litres. Eletrical energy can be charged into the batteries only in small quantities.

3 How much energy is required?

Heating

Electricity

The following example describes the average household's consumption of energy in Finland.

Electricity, small appliances and lighting use up around 5000-6000 kWh per annum (source: Motiva).

The annual use of heating energy in a normally insulated modern house is about 120 kWh/m2 - ie. in a 120 square metre house, you will expect to use about 14,400 kWh a year (source: Motiva).

Hot water

Tuule T188 wind generators are calibrated to produce a significant share of a household's energy.

4 How large a wind generator will I need?

The power and energy produced by a wind generator are proportional to the rotor's swept area and the wind's speed. For standard home use, you will need a swept area of about 20 m2, therefore a rotor-type generator needs to have a diameter of at least 5 metres. One cannot get around this fact, whatever the design of your wind generator.

According to contemporary research, the traditional rotor-type wind generator is the most efficient way to produce wind energy.

5 Is there a good location for a wind generator near me?

As even a small increase in wind speed can significantly increase the production of energy, it is naturally important to choose the right spot. If the generator's voltage is high enough, you can place the up to several hundreds of metres from the place of use without significant loss during power transfer.

In evaluating a nearby location for your wind generator, please consider that:

the location is windy, in the open and as high up as possible
the generator needs about 10 x10 metres of space around it, including space for raising and lowering the mast during installation.
the location must be accessible
the wind generator must not be installed so that it casts a shadow on any of the building's windows. The shadow of the rotor might cause unpleasant flickering.
the location is usually not inhabited, also taking into consideration possible the danger of ice dropping from the rotor blades or other structures.
the location is preferably over 30 metres from the building or garden, so that the sound of the generator isn't disturbing at high winds.
the ground cable needs to be routed from the generator to the place of use - the ground must first be checked for drainage and other cables.

mast height - metres

Lifting the wind generator higher is a quick way of yielding more energy.

Please see the illustration on the right to see how raising the mast higher affects productivity.

(Source: In the Public Interest, Awea, the American Wind Energy Association)

Please see the FAQ for more information on the impact of raising the mast higher.

power increase - precentual

Wind generators are of course of not much use in low terrain - Lifting the wind generator higher is a quick way of improving on local wind conditions. The Tuule T188 wind generator comes with an option to purchase a 27 metre mast, bringing the generator's ceiling to almost 30 metres.

6 Permissions

Before starting your project, make sure you are aware of the permissions required in your country and region for installing and utilising a wind generator.

Would you like to advance the use of wind energy? Send us details about your local permissions procedure regarding wind energy to: sales@finnwind.fi

- what kind of permits are needed in your country to build and install a wind generator?

- what kind of standards does your country adhere to, regarding wind energy?

- where possible, please provide links to your local authorities' websites, so we can find out more

7 Installation

Installation of a Tuule T188 wind generator takes professionals about 6 -15 hours. The main stages of the installation work are:

a) Foundation laying. The rigging anchors and mast foundation are buried in the ground. An excavator is needed for a few hours. Cement trucks and cranes are not needed.

b) Generator installation. The wind generator supplier installs and erects the generator.

c) Internal building electrical work. Internal building electrical work includes a drawing the cable from the edge of the building to the regulator unit, attaching the regulator unit to the wall and drawing the cable from the regulator unit to the heating resistance unit.

The wind generator supplier can do all of the installation work if you wish. You may also do the wind generator installation work yourself. It is important to note that generator installation requires experience with the installation of technical devices and becoming familiar with the installation instructions under the guidance of the wind generator manufacturer.

8 Use of the Tuule T188 Wind Generator

Use of the Tuule T188 wind generator for heating or energy production is completely automated, therefore no additional steps are required to operate it.

9 Wind generator life cycle - Tuule T188

As with all other machines and devices, a wind generator must receive regular maintenance. Please refer to the usage and maintenance instruction manual for the appropriate maintenance procedures. The wind generator owner should carry out a visual inspection of the generator each year. This inspection should include checking the tension of the rigging wires and the proper operation of the regulator unit.

The generator should also receive a more thorough service inspection every 5 years. The central parts of the inspection are: the rotor, the bearings, the storm protection mechanism and the general condition of the electrical cabinet. This service inspection may be left to Finnwind Ltd. to carry out, or the customer may conduct it according to the usage and maintenance instruction manual. Please note that Finnwind Ltd. offers a 5 year guarantee only to wind generators regularly inspected and maintained according to the installation and maintenance instructions of the manufacturer. When carried out by Finnwind Ltd., the maintenance inspection takes one mechanic about 3-4 hours. The manufacturer will make available original or compatible parts for at least 10 years.

As any source of domestic energy, a wind generator should be durable and reliable. Regular, preventive maintenance and fast parts supply help maintain the value of your investment and extend the life cycle of the product to 40-50 years.

10 How to compare different manufacturers' wind generators

a) Rotor swept area

Wind generators with similarly sized swept area are comparable. Eg. the productivity expectation of a 10 m2 rotor is half that of a 20 m2 rotor. Naturally, in addition to this, the actual energy yielded is affected by the technology used in the wind generator.

b) Power (kW) and production of energy (kWh)

Manufacturers' descriptions of their products' nominal power fluctuates wildly. Nominal power, however, doesn't tell the whole energy story. Annual production of energy is a solid, measurable quantity - if it is calculated against the available wind conditions. The unit of energy production is the kilo-watt hour.

c) Quality and life cycle

Our wind generator has been designed to have a long life span, therefore prospective buyers should consider issues in addition to the retail price: quality, ease of use, durability and maintenance. Quality of essential components such as bearings, have a major impact on the longevity of a wind generator.

11 Environmentally friendly wind energy

Wind energy is one of the rare forms of energy production that doesn't require expensive fuel and leaves no toxic waste. A normal family can perform a significant ecological act by acquiring a wind generator eg. to replace oil or electricity. Another, similar, act of significance would be to give up driving.

Updated on 13.6.2009